Sony confirms their worst kept secret – 40GB PS3 for $399.99

So, Sony has finally confirmed what we all already knew from the plethoraofleaks – they’re releasing a 40GB PS3 with an MSRP of $399.99. The new unit will come bundled with a Blu-ray copy of Spider-man 3, also as previously rumored. At the same time, the price on the 80GB PlayStation 3 is being cut by $100 – from $599.99 to $499.99. Which should also be no surprise because, as I’ve said before, there was no way in hell Sony was going to have the effective price of the PS3 go up heading into the holidays – and with the $500 60GB PS3 discontinued, it was inevitable the 80GB’s price would come down to that level – and may even drop further with promotions.

Also as expected, the 40GB model is the same as the one recently released in Europe – two USB ports, no memory card reader, and no backwards compatibility.

The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.

The new 40GB model goes hits shelves on November 2, and I’d expect it to be eligible for the Five Free Blu-Ray Disc Offer as well. This will make the 40GB PS3 the cheapest Blu-ray player on the market, by MSRP – though I still expect further Blu-ray player price cuts to be announced going into the holiday season.

New 40GB Model to be Available in North America on November 2nd for $399; Effective Immediately, 80GB PS3 to be Priced at $499

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced plans to introduce a new 40GB model of its PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system. Beginning November 2nd, to further enhance the HD entertainment experience, the new 40GB PS3 model will come bundled with the blockbuster movie Spider-Man(TM) 3 Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and will be available in North America for a suggested retail price of $399 (USD/CND). The company also announced that effective immediately, the current 80GB PS3 model will be available in North America for $499 (USD/CND), $100 below the original launch price.

“We’re pleased to offer the consumer a lower price point without sacrificing the core technology components that make PS3 the most advanced high-definition entertainment system available. Every PS3 comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine and a built-in hard-drive,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA. “This holiday season we’ll be able to offer attractive retail pricing with a broad portfolio of outstanding games including Ratchet & Clank(R) Future: Tools of Destruction(TM), THE EYE OF JUDGMENT(TM), Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune(TM), Heavenly Sword(TM), Call of Duty(R) 4: Modern Warfare, Assassin’s Creed(TM), Haze(TM) and RockBand(TM).”

The new 40GB PS3 will no longer play PlayStation(R)2 titles, reflecting the availability of a more extensive line-up of PS3 specific titles. Consumers looking for backwards compatibility can take advantage of the limited PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility of the 80GB PS3.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PLAYSTATION(R)Network and PLAYSTATION(R)Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/

“PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PSP”, “PS one” and the “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks and “PS3″ and “SIXAXIS” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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